Incarcerated PTI founder Imran Khan wants his party leaders to “stick firmly to the ideology” of the party, PTI Secretary General Salman Akram Raja said on Thursday.
Following the Islamabad High Court’s order to jail authorities to facilitate meetings for legal consultation, lawyers Barrister Salman Safdar and Advocate Latif Khosa were able to meet Imran and his wife, Bushra Bibi, at the Adiala jail on Wednesday.
According to both lawyers, the meeting lasted at least three hours and mainly focused on the couple’s legal and health issues. However, they did not divulge further details; the government often objects to lawyers using such meetings to make political statements.
Speaking on Geo News programme ‘Capital Talk’ on Thursday, Raja said that he had multiple detailed conversations with Barrister Safdar following the latter’s meeting with Imran.
“Imran Khan’s fundamental message was to stick firmly to the ideology,” the PTI secretary general said, conveying details he heard from Safdar.
“I have also been directed to stick to [our] ideology,” Raja added, noting that Imran’s “fundamental message is not to bow”.
He further said Imran reiterated his support for National Assembly Opposition Leader Mehmood Khan Achakzai and Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas, whom the PTI founder had picked for their respective roles.
He quoted Imran as saying that Achakzai and Abbas were not individuals who would “bow down or be sold”, and he had nominated them after deep contemplation.
“Imran Khan sahib’s directives will be acted upon,” the PTI secretary general declared.
He added that Imran had also issued instructions on the issue of the formation of new provinces during his meetings with Safdar, including the one on Nov 2.
“Imran Khan is not ready to step back from his ideology of democracy and public welfare […] the rule of the people is the foremost priority of Imran Khan,” Raja stated.
He said that Imran considered concerns related to his well-being as unnecessary; however, the party was concerned about his health, as Imran’s blood pressure was not stable.
Raja claimed that Imran had also reported in yesterday’s meeting about his blood pressure “reaching 193 on Saturday”.
Asked whether this message could be considered political and thereby hinder chances of future jail meetings, Raja contended that although a handful of matters were discussed during the three-hour-long huddle, everything was monitored and recorded via microphones.
He noted that Khosa, who was also an MNA, has made several statements after the meeting, which “compelled Safdar to clarify matters”.
Regarding himself, the PTI secretary general said Imran had issued instructions to him regarding standing with the principles and reorganisation of the party.
He acknowledged that there was a small faction in the PTI which is displeased with him. However, he emphasised that Imran’s directives conveyed to him were different.
“Imran Khan’s message for me is to create space while upholding the principles and move forward,” Raja said, denying other notions coming from different circles within the PTI.
Regarding directives issued by Imran on a possible 28th constitutional amendment, the PTI secretary general said he would put this matter before the party leadership first.
The directions were related to standing with democratic principles and the rights of small provinces, he said, adding that the PTI founder had always supported the creation of new administrative units.
However, Raja noted that there had been some concerns related to the “context” behind the formation of new administrative units and stressed the importance of the public’s opinion.
Imran’s meeting not linked to 28th amendment: Sanaullah
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Political Affairs Rana Sanaullah denied speculation that Imran’s meeting with his lawyers was linked to the process of introducing a 28th constitutional amendment.
“This was just a simple meeting between lawyers who agreed to present an argument in court and enable it to decide on an appeal,” he told Geo News programme ‘Aaj Shahzeb Khanzada ke Saath’, noting that people have been trying to link the meeting to the 28th amendment or other matters.
The PM’s aide explained that Safdar and Khosa did not present their arguments before the IHC, contending that they could not do so without meeting their clients.
“The IHC chief justice said that if they promised to argue the case, he would arrange a meeting. As a result of the commitment, the meeting was permitted and both of them were able to meet [Imran and Bushra],” Sanaullah said.
“This political theory that the meeting was held to discuss the 28th Amendment is completely incorrect; there is no such thing,” the PML-N leader maintained.
He was then asked about the government’s knowledge of the matter, considering the lengthy meeting allowed Imran to discuss PTI’s matters with his lawyers.
In response, Sanaullah said officials of the interior ministry were aware of the matters as it was its domain.
Asked whether there was any “distance” emerging between the government and the state, the PML-N leader replied, “Distancing from us can never begin, and neither will it.
“There is extraordinary coordination between the military and civilian leadership,” he affirmed.
Highlighting Pakistan’s achievements in the diplomatic and military arena, he said: “This situation should remain, and everyone should pray that this situation remains forever.”
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